How to Reset a Stuck Seatbelt
by Lauren FarrellyYour car's seatbelts are vitally important and keep all the passengers in the car safe. However, periodically they can get jammed or stuck. In some cases this can be a much more serious problem that needs to be repaired by the dealership. However, you can troubleshoot this problem yourself quickly and easily.
Step 1

Pull on the seatbelt to try and release it from its auto-lock function. If the seatbelt is buckled in, simply unlatch it from the cartridge and gently pull it away from the seat to release more of the belt. Then let it gradually go back into form behind the seat. If it does not snap back into place, the belt may be tangled, twisted or there may be a jam deep within the mechanism.
Step 2

Pry off the plastic covers that hold the seatbelt mechanism with a screwdriver or needle nose pliers. This will expose the belt loop and hardware. If the seatbelt is in the back seat, you will need to pull the seats down and expose the seatbelt mechanism which is typically located in the trunk area, often underneath the trunk's floor layer. This can be accessed by simply lifting up the floor layer where the spare tire is often located.
Step 3

Pull the seatbelt out completely. This will expose any tangles, kinks or objects jammed in the belt itself, or in the bottom of the seatbelt mechanism.
References
Things You'll Need
- Flat head screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
Warnings
- Be very careful when taking off the plastic covers that cover the seatbelt mechanism. Gently pry the covers apart from the car's interior in several different places, not just in one spot.
- If the seatbelt is still not operating properly, contact your dealership or mechanic immediately. The seatbelt may have a major malfunction which may need replacement.
Writer Bio
Lauren Farrelly has been writing and producing for television since 2003. She has experience covering sports, business news and general news events for CNBC, ESPN and Bleacher Report. Farrelly has a BA in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University.